Iron Heart Armament Harpoon Light Patrol Boat:


Often when Iron Heart Armament is thought of with respect to marine vessels, the Sea King class cruiser is though about but in reality it only makes a small percentage of their sales. Simply, the vessel is too large and expensive to be either effective or affordable for many purchasers. The bulk of Iron Heart Armament sales, as far as marine craft, are patrol boats. The Triton is the best known although the lighter Harpoon class vessel is quite popular as well.


Mainly designed for shallow water operations, the Harpoon light patrol boat is quite a bit smaller than the Triton, being only about two thirds the length and displacing only about a quarter of the larger vessel. Due to the vessel's smaller size, it can operate in even shallower water than its larger cousin. Instead of being a hydrofoil design, the vessel is a planing hull design. The Harpoon is made from the same high strength composites and alloys so it surprisingly tough for its size.


The power plant for the Harpoon light patrol boat can either be a fusion plant or a gas turbine engine. The power plant systems are similar to what is mounted in several tank classes. Unlike many tank models, the vessel is not available with a pure electrical propulsion system. The fusion powered models are by far the most common due to having virtually unlimited range. The gas turbine is seen as having advantages over marine diesel engines because they are more tolerant of different fuels although range is quite a bit less than it otherwise would be. Normal range is about six hundred nautical miles. The top speed of either version is about fifty-five knots, slightly better than the Triton. It is also extremely maneuverable.


The vessel is designed around a crew of six although can be operated effectively by a crew of four. In emergency, the vessel can be operated by a crew of two. As well, a maximum of four embarked troops can be carried with a standard crew of six. Two is more common due to cramped conditions. Usually, no power armors are embarked. Berthing is communal with a pair of berthing spaces which each can sleep five in cramped conditions with four each being a more comfortable fit. The small boat also has a tiny galley although supplies are also limited with a maximum of about two weeks of supplies normally carried onboard.


For its size, the Harpoon class light patrol boat is extremely well armed with missiles being the craft's primary weapon system. Early models carried a box launcher for mini-missiles with a total of eighty mini-missiles. To give the small vessel a better long range punch, this was later replaced by a launcher which has six medium range missiles and thirty-two mini-missiles. It is comparatively easy to convert older versions of the vessel to the upgraded launcher. These launchers are both half sized versions of the launchers carried on the Triton class. Unlike the Triton, the Harpoon has no provisions for addition missiles in the cargo hold.


While the Harpoon's primary weaponry are missiles, the light patrol boat also mounts a powerful rail gun on the bow. Virtually identical mounts are carried on the Sea King and Triton designs although both carry a pair of rail gun mounts. This is useful against other surface craft as well as air targets including both aircraft and missiles. A payload of eight thousand rounds is carried for the rail gun. Due to the superstructure, the mount has a 270 degree arc of fire and can be angled up to eighty-five degrees.


Originally the light patrol boat was conceived with torpedo launchers but they were later removed due to weight issues. Medium range rocket boosted torpedoes can be fired from the box launcher if required although this reduces payload for other purposes. The Harpoon does have an after mount for depth charges with a maximum payload of ten depth charges. Because of the limited effectiveness of depth charges and comparative inaccuracy of the launcher, few crews carry them. In some cases, the mount has been completely removed by the boat's crew.


Electronics are a bit more limited compared to the Triton with only a relatively short range radar system although the small boat also mounts a hull sonar systems. Range of radar system is about fifty miles and sonar system is limited to only around five miles. The radar system does have the ability to guide missiles against air targets and act as fire control for missile system.


Model Type:IH-LPB15"Harpoon" Original Version - Armed with Mini-Missile Launcher
IH-LPB15B"Harpoon II" Upgraded Version - Armed with Multiple Missile Launcher
Vehicle Type: Ocean & Waterway, Light Patrol Boat
Crew: Four (4) to Six (6) - Can be operated in emergency by a crew of two.
Vessel requires a pilot, navigator, gunner, and engineer to operate effectively. Crew of six usually adds a second gunner and a general seaman to the crew
Troops / Passengers: 4 troops / passengers (extremely cramped)


M.D.C. by Location:

Rail Gun Mounts (1 - Bow):150
Mini-Missile / Multiple Missile Launcher (1 - After Deck):100
Depth Charge Launchers (1 - Fantail):55
[1] Spotlight (4):20 each
Bridge / Pilot House:160
[2] Radar System (Superstructure):75
[3] Primary Hull (Main Body):450


Notes:
[1] These are small and difficult targets to strike, requiring the attacker to make a “called shot,” but even then the attacker is -4 to strike.
[2] Destroying Search Radar Tower will eliminate Air Search radar system but the vessel still has backup fire control sensors.
[3] Destroying the main body causes the vessel to lose structural integrity, causing the vessel to sink. There are enough life preservers and inflatable life boats to accommodate everyone on the vessel.


Speed:
Surface: 63.3 mph (55 knots/ 101.9 kph)
Range: Gas Turbine: 691 miles (600 nautical miles / 1,112 kilometers) Fusion Model: Unlimited due to fusion engines (needs to refuel every 15 years and requires maintenance as well).
Both versions of the vessel carries about two week of supplies on board.


Statistical Data:
Length: 86.5 feet (26.36 meters) at waterline / 92.5 (28.19 meters) overall
Draft: 3.4 feet (1.04 meters) fully loaded
Width: 20 feet (6.10 meters)
Displacement: 65 tons fully loaded
Cargo: Can carry 2 tons (1.81 metric tons) of nonessential equipment and supplies. Each enlisted crew member has a small locker for personal items and uniforms. Most of the vessel's spaces are taken up by extra ammo, armor, troops, weapons, and engines. Unlike the Triton, the vessel does not have a small armory.
Power System: Two versions: Conventional, Gas Turbine and Nuclear Reactor (Average life span is 15 years)
Black Market Cost: Conventional Gas Turbine: 60 million credits. Fusion Model: 80 million credits. (No difference in cost due to different missile launcher configuration.) Since the destruction of Iron Heart Armament, these vessels have become far less available and can cost far more. Conversion of the vessel to Harpoon II standards is modest, about 5 million credits.


Weapon Systems:

  1. Long-Range Automatic Rail Gun Turrets (1): Mount / Turret is located on the bow of the light vessel. The rail gun is a heavy weapons designed to knock down missiles and enemy aircraft, as well as to engage other seagoing vessels and land targets at a distance. The weapon can be used on surface targets as well as against missiles and aircraft. Mount can rotate up to 270 degrees and can engage targets at up to an 85 degree angle upwards.
    Maximum Effective Range: 11,000 feet (about two miles / 3.2 km).
    Mega-Damage: A burst is 40 rounds and inflicts 3D4 x 10 M.D.; can only fire bursts.
    Rate of Fire: Equal to the gunner's hand to hand attacks; each burst counts as one melee action.
    Payload: 8000 rounds in each turret (200 bursts).
  2. Missile Launcher (1): The vessel can carry either a mini-missile launcher or a combination mount which combines a medium range missile launcher and a mini-missile launcher. Mounted on the after part of the vessel, weapon mount can rotate 360 degrees and can angle upwards to 60 degrees. Weapon mounts are smaller versions of those carried on the Triton class vessel. Unlike the Triton class patrol vessel, there is no provision to carry additional missiles in the cargo hold.
    1. Mini-Missile Launcher: Large box launcher which is mainly used for short range engagements. Payload of mini-missile launcher is a total of eighty mini-missiles.
      Maximum Effective Range: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Mega-Damage: Varies with mini-missile type. Typically armor piercing and plasma (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Rate of Fire: Can fire mini-missiles one at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16) mini-missiles.
      Payload: 80 mini-missiles in launcher (No reloads are carried)
    2. Multiple Missile Launcher: This launcher combines a medium range missile launcher and a mini-missile launcher into a single mount. More flexible, the mount offers the ability to engage at both close range and at longer ranges. Payload is a total of six medium range missiles and thirty-two mini-missiles. Rocket boosted torpedoes can be carried instead of standard medium range missiles (See revised Rifts torpedoes for details.)
      Maximum Effective Range: Medium Range Missiles: As per medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.) Mini-Missiles: Varies with mini-missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Mega-Damage: Medium Range Missiles: As per medium range missile type (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.) Mini-Missiles: Varies with mini-missile type. Typically armor piercing and plasma (See revised bomb and missile tables for details.)
      Rate of Fire: Medium Range Missiles: One at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), or six (6 - all). Mini-Missiles: One at a time or in volleys of two (2), four (4), eight (8), or sixteen (16) mini-missiles.
      Payload: Medium Range Missiles: 12 medium range missiles in launcher. Mini-Missiles: 32 mini-missiles in launcher (No reloads are carried)
  3. Depth Charge Launchers (1): One unobtrusive depth charge launcher is located at the stern on the vessel. The weapon is designed to be used against submarines and underwater targets but in many ways is obsoleted due to being inaccurate. Some crews have removed this mount or carry no depth charges onboard as a result. See Depth Charge Penalties for more details.
    Maximum Effective Range: Up to 2000 feet (610 meters)
    Mega-Damage: 2D4x10 M.D. - explosive canisters.
    Rate of Fire: Can drop / fire depth charges one at a time or volleys of two (2) depth charges. A single depth charge or a pair can be launched three times per melee round.
    Payload: 10 depth charges total.


Special Systems:
The vessel has all systems standard on a robot vehicle plus the following special features:



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Writeup by Kitsune (E-Mail Kitsune).


Copyright © 2010, Kitsune. All rights reserved.


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